Denzel Washington had a royal fumble when meeting King Charles III at the “Gladiator II” premiere in London on Wednesday.
The “Equalizer 3” star, 69, attended the premiere along with his co-stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, Connie Nielsen, “Gladiator II” director Sir Ridley Scott and King Charles.
As is tradition for royal premieres, the film’s stars lined up on the red carpet to greet the sovereign before heading into the theater.
When Washington was presented to King Charles, 75, after speaking with Scott, 86, and Mescal, 28, the “Training Day” actor appeared nervous, and let Charles know he was unsure how to greet him.
The King appeared to initiate a handshake with the star, much to Washington’s relief.
“I didn’t know if I was supposed to grab your hand or not,” Washington told the King with a grin as they shook hands.
Charles then asked Washington about his character in “Gladiator II,” the villainous Macrinus.
“I’m, just an awful … I’m a lovely man you’ll see,” Washington said, sarcastically. “I’m a lovely chap.”
King Charles then told Washington, “You’ve been in so many films, it’s fantastic.”
A grateful Washington responded, “Thank you, thank you.”
Individuals slated to meet members of the royal family are typically provided guidance on how to greet the royals, as Billy Eichner recounted in 2019.
In an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” a few days after he attended the premiere of Jon Favreau’s “The Lion King”, Eichner revealed that he received an email from the royal household detailing the protocol he and other guests should follow when greeting members of the royal family.
“In the days leading up to [the premiere] they email you a protocol,” Eichner told Kimmel.
“And [the royal family] are very intense about it! I’m not kidding!” he added.
“You’re supposed to say, ‘Your Royal Highness,’ you can’t speak until your hands are in like a handshake,” he continued, admitting he was “very nervous” about meeting Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who were at the premiere.
The royal family’s website provides some guidance on greeting members of the Firm. According to the site, there are technically no mandatory rules.
“There are no obligatory codes of behaviour” when meeting a royal, the website states. “But many people wish to observe the traditional forms.”
“For men this is a neck bow (from the head only) whilst women do a small curtsy.”
The site also notes that, “other people prefer simply to shake hands in the usual way.”
As for how to address royals, one should call the King, “Your Majesty” at the beginning of any conversation and then subsequently address him as, “Sir.”
Beyond the mention of a handshake, the royal family’s website does not provide any guidance on touching a royal. However, it is generally thought to be frowned upon unless the royal initiates physical intimacy.
‘Gladiator II’ film premiere, London. Alan West/Hogan Media/Shutterstock
“Really it comes down to don’t touch a royal,” royal expert Victoria Arbiter has explained. “I’m sure there’s lots of security reasons associated with it, but it’s just not befitting of their position.”
Washington is far from the only celebrity to have had an awkward encounter with the Windsors. Earlier this year, French First Lady Brigitte Macron attempted to hold Queen Camilla’s hand at a ceremony commemorating D-Day before abandoning the move when Camilla didn’t reciprocate the gesture.
Former US First Lady Michelle Obama also made headlines when she placed her arm around the late Queen Elizabeth II in 2009. Though the Queen’s longtime confidant and dresser Angela Kelly later revealed that there was nothing improper about Obama’s physical intimacy, writing in her memoir that “really there is no protocol that must be adhered to.”
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